Praise for ‘happy’ Fareham school

Redlands Primary School in Fareham has had a good Ofsted report. Pictured are year one and two pupils having a reading lesson with teachers back L-R Sarah Tenters and Claire Hewitt. Picture: Paul Jacobs (13594-1)

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IT’S a happy, welcoming school where pupils, staff and parents help to create a positive learning community.

That’s what Ofsted inspectors said when they visited Redlands Primary School in Fareham.

Inspectors gave Redlands a ‘good’ rating – and said that most pupils make good progress during their time there.

They also noted that some pupils make outstanding progress, particularly in reading and maths.

Teaching is good and some is rated outstanding, particularly in the Early Years Foundation stage and Key Stage 1.

And the report said that pupils behave well in lessons and around the school.

The school had been rated good in its previous inspection, but headteacher Kevin Harcombe said he was pleased the school has remained at that level despite Ofsted introducing a number of changes to its ratings.

‘We knew that Ofsted had raised the bar and things have got tougher so we are very pleased to retain our good standards,’ he said.

‘Maths and reading came out very well. That is the most pleasing. They liked the atmosphere in the school. It’s a positive learning community.

‘The staff absolutely work very hard all the time. They are really determined to do the best for the children. They take pride in what they do.’

The report also said the governing body is active and supports the school well.

The governing body is led by Wilfred Phillips who works at and supports a number of schools. Inspectors said Mr Phillips has been a constant and effective support to the school, by offering expert knowledge to help improve standards.

Mr Harcombe added: ‘One of the things I was most thrilled about was that the chairman of governors came out well. He’s absolutely brilliant. He’s really involved in the community.’

To become an outstanding school, the quality of teaching needs to be raised to outstanding by teachers setting challenging targets.

And leadership and management needs to be raised to outstanding by ensuring that the school development plan has challenging targets which can be measured against improvements in pupils’ progress.

Mr Harcombe added: ‘We can’t stand still. We will keep pressing forward. We will be an outstanding school next time.’